User Aspects of Adaptive Visualization for Mobile Maps

Abstract

The objective of map design is to create, in the mind of map users, an abstraction of the real world appropriate to the map's purpose. The success of the design depends not only on the cartographer's skill but also on the user's ability to read the map and on the particular circumstances of its use. If the user does not understand the meaning of the map symbols, this may lead to frustration or misinterpretations. If, in a mobile map context, users can be provided, in real-time, with map symbols adapted to particular use situations and user preferences, more effective map reading could result. This paper studies those user aspects where map symbols and other visualization are adapted for mobile users' specific needs. A discussion on the importance of understanding cartographic principles in mobile map design is followed by the description of an adaptive mobile map service implemented within an EU project called "GiMoDig." This service delivers maps with different point of interest (PoI) symbols and different map designs for varying user groups in different use situations. The paper describes how the cartographic design was evaluated and how the intuitivity of the map symbols was tested. Finally, conclusions and recommendations for future research topics are discussed.